There are plenty of homes throughout the United States that don’t have any air conditioning. These tend to be older homes or homes that were designed in such a way that they could use the natural breezes flowing through the area to cool them. If you own such a home and you’re sick of dealing with the heat of summer, you may be considering central air conditioner installation in Tampa, FL.

Of course, you should know that retrofitting an older home with air conditioning can be a significant task. With this in mind, here are some of the things you should consider before hiring a contractor to handle the installation of a new AC system.

Current HVAC systems

What kind of HVAC system currently exists in your home for heating? If you have a forced-air heating system, then installing the air conditioning should actually be a relatively simple and inexpensive job, compared to some of the other options. You might be able to simply get away with putting a coil into the furnace for the AC system and then installing the exterior unit.

If, however, you have radiators, baseboard heaters or boilers, the process will become a little more difficult. Installing new ductwork where it doesn’t already exist is a massive job that is probably your most expensive option. Therefore, if this is your situation, you might be best off installing ductless air conditioning units in your home.

Breaker box

Is the circuit breaker box in your home capable of handling additional electrical circuits and units? It might be challenging to find the space you need for new electrical elements. Older homes tend to have smaller electrical panels, leaving you without space for an air conditioning hookup.

If that’s the case, you may need to upgrade your circuit breaker box, which you can expect to cost you a couple grand in addition to the air conditioning installation job you’re already taking on. You’ll need to hire out an electrician to handle that job, as it could be dangerous.

Type of unit

What type of air conditioner is going to be the best solution for your home? Investigate all the options you have available to you. Keep in mind that energy-efficient units could potentially make you eligible for some tax breaks. You should also consider how long it will take you to recover your initial investment through energy savings with more efficient models—this can help you decide whether or not it’s worth it to spring for some of the “greener” models available on the market. Efficiency is much more important in areas like Tampa, where you’re likely to be running the unit the majority of the year.

These are just a few things to keep in mind before you pay for central air conditioner installation in Tampa, FL. Always make sure you’re working with reputable contractors, especially when retrofitting your home, so you can make sure you’re getting the best work possible.

For more information about air conditioner installation, contact the team at Kenny’s Air Conditioning & Heating Services, Inc. today!